Hezbollah Hits Back at 'terrorist' US

"Hezbollah is honored to be accused of terrorism by the US administration, which is the top terrorist state," a statement from the Lebanese resistance group said on Wednesday.

The remarks followed a statement issued by the US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, saying Washington would not follow Britain's example by opening dialogue with the movement.

Feltman called the Lebanese resistance group a domestic and regional "threat," adding "our position on Hezbollah remains as it was when the group was first designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 1997."

Hezbollah, however, termed the comments as "desperate and empty," adding that "It is not strange for Feltman to interfere in Lebanese affairs, which he got used to since he was once an ambassador to Lebanon."

Earlier this month, the British Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Bill Rammel, said that his country was ready for direct dialogue with Hezbollah, given the improvement of political relations in Lebanon over the last year.

Britain's stance was welcomed by Hezbollah but the movement reiterated that any talks should be held in an open and transparent manner. Rammel's remarks were also interpreted as a signal of the West's policy change toward Hezbollah after the movement proved itself as a determining and popular political force in the country.